Boating activities continue on Harris Lake just one week after a boating crash killed a 10-year-old girl and left a woman critically injured.
Jennifer Stehle, the woman who needed a leg amputation after being hit by a boat at Harris Lake last week, faces an uncertain path forward, according to her sister-in-law, who chose to speak with WRAL News. Her statement read:
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“Jennifer is able to communicate briefly when she is awake, but she’s still in the early stages of a long recovery. At this moment, she is considered stable, and we are holding on to faith and praying for only positive updates. Moving forward, her overall condition is still evolving, and it's too soon to know exactly what the path ahead will look like. Our focus right now is entirely on her, healing, her comfort, and protecting the well-being of both families as we navigate this incredibly difficult time. We are truly grateful to WRAL for not only helping share updates, but also for protecting our privacy and approaching our story with such care and compassion.”
Justin, Kristie Stehle’s brother and Jennifer Stehle’s husband, also shared a statement with WRAL News that read:
“On behalf of Justin and Jennifer Stehle, we want to thank our community from the bottom of our hearts for the incredible love, support, and prayers that you have poured out for us and for both of our families during this unimaginable time. Your kindness, your generosity, and your faith have been a light in the darkest days of our lives. The prayers mean more than we can ever express. They are truly what is carrying us through each moment, giving us strength when we feel we have none left. Every message, every call, every act of love, has reminded us that we are not alone in this, and for that, we are endlessly grateful. Please continue to keep us all in your prayers as we travel this difficult road together. Your faith, compassion, and support give us hope, and we pray God blesses each and every one of you for the way you have blessed us.”
Kristie Stehle told WRAL News she hopes to see more law enforcement on the water.
“Like driving, boating is just as dangerous,” Kristie said. “So, if there’s more, you know, law enforcement actually enforcing the laws, maybe this hopefully this will never happen to another family.”
Wake County sheriff’s deputies were patrolling the lake Saturday as activities continued.
A spokesperson with the sheriff's office said in a statement, “This weekend, as they have been throughout the summer, deputies will be on both falls and Harris Lake patrolling the waterway and assisting boaters."
Some say this incident is a wake-up call for boaters to change their behavior to ensure safety on the water.
"We know it's a reality, same thing in a car,” said Scott Adamick, who said he has been boating on Harris Lake for more than a year. “You just hope people keep it within a limit that they can control and be safe."
The boating crash also killed 10-year-old Brooklyn Carroll. She was laid to rest on Friday.
The boat’s operator, Quinten Kight, is charged with driving a vessel while under the influence, and his girlfriend and boat owner, Annemarie Flanigan, was also arrested in connection with the crash.